Hokies head to Notre Dame for first time

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SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Virginia Tech (7-3) football will face Notre Dame (4-6) for the first time in program history when the Hokies travel to South Bend, Indiana Saturday for a contest with the Fighting Irish.

“I have not (played at Notre Dame),” admitted Tech head coach Justin Fuente. “Obviously, I have a tremendous amount of respect for the college football tradition and Notre Dame. All those things are ingrained in the history of college football. Part of that is really neat. The neat part of them being involved in our league is the home-and-away (games) with the prestigious program.”

A rare November non-conference game, Tech’s result Saturday will not affect the ACC Coastal Division race. The Hokies had a chance to wrap-up the division title last weekend, but fell at home to Georgia Tech. Justin Fuente’s team can clinch a spot in the ACC title game with a win next Saturday vs. Virginia.

“It certainly is a dynamic,” Fuente said about Saturday’s non-conference game in South Bend. “I don’t know how odd it is. We have to go and prove. This is an ongoing process, and it is not always a straight extension. This is a great opportunity. I think this game comes at a great time for us to go on the road and play a very talented team in what I’m sure will be a hostile environment. We have to continue to grow as a team and try to improve. It is odd, but for us, it’s about our growth and our process to go and take advantage of this opportunity.”

The Hokies are 3-1 on the road under Fuente. Kickoff is slated for 3:30pm Saturday at Notre Dame Stadium.